What is the purpose of an attachment in the context of witnesses?

The purpose of an attachment in the context of witnesses is to bring a witness before the court. This legal mechanism is utilized when a witness has failed to respond to a subpoena or when their presence is deemed essential for a trial or hearing. By issuing an attachment, the court can compel the witness to appear, ensuring that their testimony is available to support the legal proceedings.

The other options do not align with the primary purpose of an attachment in this specific context. Transferring property typically relates to issues of ownership and does not involve witnesses. Serving legal documents is a process that notifies parties of legal actions but does not inherently involve compelling a witness. Issuing a warrant for arrest pertains to the apprehension of individuals suspected of crimes rather than the summoning of witnesses to testify in court. Thus, the attachment's role is clearly focused on ensuring that witnesses are present when needed for judicial processes.